Rayvena Hope

So I just want to warn you that there may be parts of this you do not want to read. Especially if you are a man and don't want to hear about childbirth or you are about to have your first child. Don't worry though I won't be real graphic of anything.

I can't tell you how blessed I am to have four beautiful and healthy girls. I think back to when I had my first...almost 5 years ago now. I didn't want to have any more kids. Her delivery and first month of life were full of sickness and stress. I will never forget how sick I was during labor and then the pain of not being able to hold my newborn for three days because she had to be in an oxygen hood. Then just a week after we got her home from the NICU she had to go and spend another three days in the hospital. Both times they could never really tell us what was wrong, just that she was sick. Now you would never know she was so sick. She is the healthiest of all our kids! And here I am 4 1/2 years after her birth with four girls! So much for not having more!

My biggest baby to date coming in at a huge 9 pounds 11oz is our wonderful Rayvena Hope! Who would have ever thought? I didn't think I would ever have one over 9 pounds let alone one that is almost 10 pounds!!!

Labor started early in the morning for me. Although Jadelyn was the only other one I went into labor on my own with and I ended up going to the hospital three times before I actually was in active labor. So I was worried the same thing would happen, and being 45 mins away from the hospital I didn't want to have to drive there three times! So I was putting off calling them until I was really sure that I was in labor. Although I did have the thought that I might wait too long and have the baby at home or in the car...not a cool thing for me.

So I made it at a good time. It didn't really feel like I was in labor that long. I guess it would have been about 9 1/2 hours or so. The worst for me was the pushing. I pushed for 2 hours! This might not have been so bad if I had gotten an epidural. I have nothing against epidurals except my last epidural was horrible and the one birth I didn't have one for was great. I healed well and was up and about much faster. So I went into this one not wanting an epidural. I have never pushed for more than 30 mins with any of my babies so I never thought I would have to push for 2 hours. With Scarletta our 17 month old I pushed twice and she was out. 2 hours??? Really??? After finally getting her out I listen to the dr just be amazed at how huge my baby was. No wonder I had to push so long he kept saying that. Then he also mentioned that if it would have been my first baby I would have had a c-section. CRAZY!!!!

So now I am starting to wonder. Do I want to have more babies? Do I want to risk having a bigger baby and really needing to have a c-section. I know that it's to early to think about it all. Right now I just want to marvel at the 4 girls God has given us. What a blessing they are. What a wonder. Never did I think that I would be blessed with 4 wonderful and beautiful girls! Thank you God!